The Republican party has become dramatically more illiberal in the past two decades and now more closely resembles ruling parties in autocratic societies than its former centre-right equivalents in Europe, according to a new international study.
In a significant shift since 2000, the GOP has taken to demonising and encouraging violence against its opponents, adopting attitudes and tactics comparable to ruling nationalist parties in Hungary, India, Poland and Turkey.
The shift has both led to and been driven by the rise of Donald Trump.
By contrast the Democratic party has changed little in its attachment to democratic norms, and in that regard has remained similar to centre-right and centre-left parties in western Europe. Their principal difference is the approach to the economy.
The new study, the largest ever of its kind, was carried out by the V-Dem Institute at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, using newly developed methods to measure and quantify the health of the world’s democracies at a time when authoritarianism is on the rise.
Anna Lührmann, V-Dem’s deputy director, said the Republican transformation had been “certainly the most dramatic shift in an established democracy”.
Fucking finally somebody in the media shines a big light on this, and it’s a foreign media outlet to boot. The MSM generally hasn’t talked enough about the GOP’s authoritarian tendencies outside the context of Trump.
At first I thought it was: We Wanna Schtup! Great ad!
5.
evap
I’m in. Act Blue is really dangerous, two clicks and I’ve donated. Oh well, it will all be over soon… I hope!
6.
cain
@Gin & Tonic: It is! I was there about 4 years ago I think.
7.
raven
When dawn comes to touch my purple haze
And evening’s drowsiness to carry me away
I know once again that there is nothing we can save, So I’ll pack up my things, I’ll be on my way.
Yes, here I go again
Off down the road again
Thinking thoughts of days gone by.
Country Joe and the Fish
8.
HumboldtBlue
OK, which two of you Balloon-Juice ladies are Nicolle Wallace and Claire MccCaskill?
Oh is it? Never even been to Sweden. BTW, I’m not doom and glooming here. Came across this article and thought I’d share it. This is good evidence that the GOP’s extremism is real and not just “partisan sniping” from us
14.
What Have The Romans Ever Done for Us?
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): Haven’t been to Gothenburg but was in Sweden last summer and it was great. Stockholm is a great city and really beautiful and from what I’ve heard Gothenburg is its equal, or nearly so. If Dump wins I might look into moving to Sweden. Still can’t believe they chose the heard immunity route…we had an interaction with the health care system and it was cheap, efficient, competent and quick. No way we would have done better anywhere in the US and in most places probably would have spent far more time in the waiting room, and spent more, even with insurance. Point being they have capacity to do better than they did vis a vis Covid.
ActBlue was at 7 billion 468 very early this morning. It’s going to go over 7 billion 486 in a few minutes.
That’s 18 million in less than 24 hrs.
17.
BC in Illinois
And here is the public persona of her opponent, Ann Wagner (R – safe Republican vote).
“Run away! Run away!” She strives for total invisibility. I have called her office over the years and get the same answer, on every issue: “I have not spoken to the Congresswoman about [the number one issue in the headlines], but I will pass on your comments.” She makes no public appearances. Is well connected to her donors, in private. Her goal is to be “Forgotten, but not gone.”
Her one memorable moment was after her vote to remove and replace the Affordable Care Act:
I would say that the line of the day was out of Braveheart: “Freedom!”
I voted against her two years ago, when we came within 4 points of beating her (her closest race ever). I worked the 6-10am shift for Jill Schupp at the polls in August, and will be a poll-greeter for the same early shift next Tuesday.
I voted for her [Jill] in person at the Board of Election headquarters, on September 22nd.
The power of small donor, grassroots fundraising. It makes Mitch’s Senate Leadership PAC’s 8 million to NC, GA, and AZ, etc look, while not a drop in the bucket, smaller in comparison
Yeah, I couldn’t believe it either. Their Public Health Agency is in charge of the pandemic response, which you would think would be a good thing, but not if the director (Tegnell) is a moron
@BC in Illinois: Ann Wagner is truly awful. But she will probably win again. Sometimes I hate living in Misery
21.
Zelma
I am so tapped out thanks to Act Blue, but I ponied up one more time. I have family connections in MO-2 and she might well have a chance. Not with my connections – too Catholic. We’ll see.
22.
zhena gogolia
@Baud:
Me too, that was great!
and I don’t even know what Noonan said, but don’t want to
23.
Sure Lurkalot
I was friends with Jill (then Seltzer) in high school. My sister lives in her district and has been making calls for her. She told me the race was tied, so good choice of candidate for support.
24.
rp
I just saw the socialist exchange from 60 minutes. It’s actually much worse in context. It’s a profoundly stupid question.
@Ruckus: James Carville was just on Ari Member’s show talking about how he has never seen anything like the fundraising numbers this year. Cecile Richards was also there talking about the unbelievable enthusiasm she sees. I am feeling cautiously optimistic.
A woman from anywhere (formerly Mohagan)
If you say so, DougJ! Just kicked in for her
ETA: How long does it take for a contribution to show up on the thermometer??
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
The Guardian: Republicans closely resemble autocratic parties in Hungary and Turkey – study
Fucking finally somebody in the media shines a big light on this, and it’s a foreign media outlet to boot. The MSM generally hasn’t talked enough about the GOP’s authoritarian tendencies outside the context of Trump.
Gin & Tonic
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): Ooh, lovely city, Gothenburg.
RedDirtGirl
At first I thought it was: We Wanna Schtup! Great ad!
evap
I’m in. Act Blue is really dangerous, two clicks and I’ve donated. Oh well, it will all be over soon… I hope!
cain
@Gin & Tonic: It is! I was there about 4 years ago I think.
raven
When dawn comes to touch my purple haze
And evening’s drowsiness to carry me away
I know once again that there is nothing we can save, So I’ll pack up my things, I’ll be on my way.
Yes, here I go again
Off down the road again
Thinking thoughts of days gone by.
Country Joe and the Fish
HumboldtBlue
OK, which two of you Balloon-Juice ladies are Nicolle Wallace and Claire MccCaskill?
Cuz they dragged Peggy Noonan through the streets over he insults about Kamala.
germy
Baud
@HumboldtBlue: I like the MST 3000 style commentary.
Shakti
She must be trying to turn out a lot of people who are around my age in her district. Because I was ready to sing that whole song.
I
Baud
We need to find a candidate somewhere named Olivia Penelope Parker (O.P.P.).
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@Gin & Tonic:
Oh is it? Never even been to Sweden. BTW, I’m not doom and glooming here. Came across this article and thought I’d share it. This is good evidence that the GOP’s extremism is real and not just “partisan sniping” from us
What Have The Romans Ever Done for Us?
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): Haven’t been to Gothenburg but was in Sweden last summer and it was great. Stockholm is a great city and really beautiful and from what I’ve heard Gothenburg is its equal, or nearly so. If Dump wins I might look into moving to Sweden. Still can’t believe they chose the heard immunity route…we had an interaction with the health care system and it was cheap, efficient, competent and quick. No way we would have done better anywhere in the US and in most places probably would have spent far more time in the waiting room, and spent more, even with insurance. Point being they have capacity to do better than they did vis a vis Covid.
HumboldtBlue
@Baud:
Her “whoop” is just the needed spice.
Ruckus
ActBlue was at 7 billion 468 very early this morning. It’s going to go over 7 billion 486 in a few minutes.
That’s 18 million in less than 24 hrs.
BC in Illinois
And here is the public persona of her opponent, Ann Wagner (R – safe Republican vote).
and replacethe Affordable Care Act:I voted against her two years ago, when we came within 4 points of beating her (her closest race ever). I worked the 6-10am shift for Jill Schupp at the polls in August, and will be a poll-greeter for the same early shift next Tuesday.
I voted for her [Jill] in person at the Board of Election headquarters, on September 22nd.
I can’t wait for this to be over.
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@Ruckus:
The power of small donor, grassroots fundraising. It makes Mitch’s Senate Leadership PAC’s 8 million to NC, GA, and AZ, etc look, while not a drop in the bucket, smaller in comparison
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@What Have The Romans Ever Done for Us?:
Yeah, I couldn’t believe it either. Their Public Health Agency is in charge of the pandemic response, which you would think would be a good thing, but not if the director (Tegnell) is a moron
ryk
@BC in Illinois: Ann Wagner is truly awful. But she will probably win again. Sometimes I hate living in Misery
Zelma
I am so tapped out thanks to Act Blue, but I ponied up one more time. I have family connections in MO-2 and she might well have a chance. Not with my connections – too Catholic. We’ll see.
zhena gogolia
@Baud:
Me too, that was great!
and I don’t even know what Noonan said, but don’t want to
Sure Lurkalot
I was friends with Jill (then Seltzer) in high school. My sister lives in her district and has been making calls for her. She told me the race was tied, so good choice of candidate for support.
rp
I just saw the socialist exchange from 60 minutes. It’s actually much worse in context. It’s a profoundly stupid question.
HumboldtBlue
Too funny.
Eunicecycle
@Ruckus: James Carville was just on Ari Member’s show talking about how he has never seen anything like the fundraising numbers this year. Cecile Richards was also there talking about the unbelievable enthusiasm she sees. I am feeling cautiously optimistic.
Comrade Colette Collaboratrice
@Eunicecycle:
I profoundly, sincerely hope that was not a Freudian typo. I’m so tired of the members of guys on the TV.
Yutsano
@HumboldtBlue: Hasn’t Claire been a suspected lurker for quite some time now?
Eunicecycle
@Comrade Colette Collaboratrice: oh no! Usually I proofread but that got by me. No he didn’t show his… member
DougJ
@germy:
good one
Aleta
Richie Havens, Here Comes